Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police believe an overnight hearth in Wyoming that broken a building being renovated to house a brand new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Might 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min read

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a fire early Wednesday that police believe was intentionally set — possibly by someone seen working away from the constructing carrying what seemed to be a fuel can and a bag.

The blaze broken the within of the building beneath renovation to deal with the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest metropolis in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which also planned to supply different health care providers for ladies, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in the state to offer abortions. Wyoming’s current lone location for ladies to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who called authorities before dawn saw somebody running from the building with what appeared to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook submit. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No injuries were reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, said clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and telephone messages. The building had video cameras that have been functioning, and police were given access to them, she said.

“Whether you’re against abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said Burkhart, a former affiliate of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider who was shot and killed in a Wichita, Kansas, church in 2009.

Protests have been held this spring by abortion opponents at the future clinic web site, and indicators opposing abortion had been visible Wednesday in a window of an residence subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is one in every of 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off law that would immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade determination that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will occur quickly.

Police briefly closed off the street the place the small building is situated as officers investigated. Several of the building's home windows had been damaged, and smoke injury was seen round one shattered window.